Claims
- 1. A multi-media docking station, comprising:
a display monitor arranged to display a selection of available multi-media content; a host processor unit coupled to the display monitor; a memory device coupled to the host processor unit; an I/O port coupled to the host processor unit; and a user input device used to provide user input commands to the host processor unit which executes any received user input command by retrieving a selected multi-media content file from the memory device based upon the particular user selection input command, wherein the selected multi-media content file(s) is then transferred in a file format appropriate to a selected user supplied storage medium by way of the I/O ports.
- 2. A docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a remuneration input port coupled to the host processor suitably arranged to receive any number and type of monetary compensation medium such that a user can select any number of multi-media content files for purchase in real time.
- 3. A docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
an external network interface arranged to connect the docking station to a distributed network of interconnect computing devices such that if the selected multi-media content file is not locally available to the docking station, a remote file request can be made to the distributed network of computing devices.
- 4. A docking station a recited in claim 1, wherein the user input device is selected from a group comprising: a keyboard, a touchpad, a mouse, a trackpad.
- 5. A docking station as recited in claim 2, wherein the monetary compensation medium is selected from a group comprising: cash, a credit card, a debit card.
- 6. A docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the file format is selected from a group comprising: a .WAV format, an MP3 format, and a WMA format.
- 7. A docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a comestable vending portion suitable for vending a consumable product.
- 8. A docking station as recited in claim 7, wherein the consumable product is selected from a group comprising: a soft drink, and a snack.
- 9. A method for distributing selected multi-media content file, comprising:
displaying a list of available multi-media content files on a display; selecting a particular multi-media content file from the list of available multi-media content files; based upon the user selection, determining if the selected file is stored locally in a mass storage medium coupled to the docking station; determining a type of user supplied storage medium that is to be used to store the selected multi-media file; determining whether or not monetary remuneration is required; if monetary remuneration is required, determines if the proper compensation has been received from a remuneration port; and if the host processor determines that proper remuneration has been received, then transferring the selected file in an appropriate format to the selected user supplied storage medium.
- 10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:
if it is determined that the request file is not stored locally, then generating a remote file request; and storing to the mass storage medium.
- 11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:
formatting the selected file to the appropriate file format.
- 12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the appropriate file format is selected from a group comprising: a .WAV format, an MP3 format, and a WMA format.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of (i) U.S. U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/217,225, filed Jul. 10, 2000 and entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Delivering Digital Multi-Media Content in a Vending Machine Environment” by Ron Jones, and (ii) U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/217,184, filed Jul. 10, 2000 and entitled “Personal Multi-Media Device” by Ron Jones each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. This application is also related to Patent Application No. ______ entitled “Personal Multimedia Device and Methods of Use Thereof” by Jones et. al. which is filed concurrently herewith and incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60217225 |
Jul 2000 |
US |
|
60217184 |
Jul 2000 |
US |